Thanks to JCA for sharing the unpublished code SHOPNOW, good for an extra 30% off sale items on J.Crew online. The discount makes this little bag $138.60, and still available in 7 rich colors. I got mine for $95 after calling several places using their in-store locator system - but I was told red was the only color at that price, and that I got one of the last ones left nation-wide at the clearance price (this was 2 weeks ago).

This bag is a lovely size for something with a smaller frame and can be
worn three ways. You can carry it from the top handle as a handbag
(above), sling it casually from your shoulders using the detachable
long strap (below)...

Or you can loop the handle over your arm satchel-style...

It is no secret that J.Crew has been taking liberal inspiration from handbag designers (Tillary tote ...Celine luggage tote), and the Edie bag is no exception. For my little red bag cravings, I had been eying Coach's vintage red court bags via e Bay and was struck by the unmistakable similarities. I'm not a fan of Coach's overdone logo canvas, however some their older leather bag designs are timeless and functional. Despite loving the original Coach, I went for the Edie because I could get a new/clean bag for less (the pre-owned red court bags were going for $100-$150), and I was a bit skeeved out by stains I saw on the older suede interiors.

These H&M spotted pants are a recent purchase that I am very
happy with. They jumped out at me on the
website - and once I saw the $12.95 price tag, I marched straight to
the store after work. I was worried that crazy animal pants would be
unpopular with the boyfriend, but he gave a surprising thumbs up. I toned down the print with a solid top and neutral shoes, but added a small punch of color back with a classic red and gold bag.

The sz 2 in these pants fit me well throughout the
waist and hips, but I must point out the extremely high-waist
which I have been wearing folded down. Also, the length is meant for
someone several inches taller than me and thus doesn't taper down enough
by my natural ankles. You can resolve this by rolling them up in cuffs,
or by slimming down the pant leg and hemming as shown above.

See this bag in oasis green and sagebrush on Elle (plus a wonderfully thorough review), and the pecan color on Kelly. Despite ordering my bag on final sale, sight unseen (FYI - it is not
final sale online), I was confident that it would look proportionate on me having seen these two ladies tote it frequently and
lovingly. Please note that both of them have mentioned that this leather
is scratch-prone. I haven't noticed this on my red one yet, but have
adjusted my expectations accordingly and decided I wouldn't mind some
scratches to give it a more weathered, vintage look.

Readers - Have you fallen yet for the little red bag? Please share any other classic and affordable options!

Cute outfit Jean!I love the way your new Edie bag adds the perfect pop of color to this simple outfit. I also love those pants...they're so fun and smile-inducing :)They're only $12.95?! Please excuse me while I run to the nearest H&M heehee!

Thanks for sharing the J. Crew code with us!Time to go fill a shopping cart with items and then close the browser. No shopping for me!

Is it crazy that I was eyeing that exact same Coach bag on eBay?I've been looking for a cute leather satchel for a while so these past few weeks, I've been constantly trolling the internet for cute and affordable options. I was seriously considering getting a red bag but then I realized that it probably wasn't versatile enough for me.I'm glad that you ended up getting that Edie bag though...I think the brighter color is more fun and the size seems absolutely perfect for you!But still, I can't believe we were looking at the same bag. Great minds think alike ;)

I think with a few scratches, your bag could definitely look awesome. The weathered leather look is really cool and I think it adds a little more substance to outfits.I can't wait to see what your new bag looks like after a little more wear and I also can't wait to see it with more outfits! :)

The purse looks great on you!I have the Edie bug for sure. On Friday I bought the Edie attache in red and then yesterday bought the regular Edie in grey. I haven't seen them in real life so hopefully I like them when they arrive!

Hey Jean! I love your style. After discovering your blog, I've gained a lot of inspiration on how to dress for the workplace or for going out to dinner, etc. What I want to know is how you dress on your days off like going grocery shopping or grabbing lunch? I want to look fashionable, but I don't know what to wear for these occasions, which is pretty much 80% of what I do daily. If I throw on heels, I would look too overdressed. I have been wearing summer dresses with wedges or sandals. However, I also own a lot of shorts, and I want to incorporate them so that I'd still look cute and put together (classic, grown-up). Whenever I wear shorts, I look really casual and a bit of a college student. Could you share some tips or do a post on what to wear on days off but not going anywhere fancy?

Hi Jules! I think wedges and cute sandals (not flip flops or slide-on shoes) are the way to go with casual wear. Not sure if you've seen this old post involving casual shorts, but I thought a low strappy wedge sandal and some feminine jewelry helped prevent a plain tee and shorts look from being too juvenile: http://www.extrapetite.com/2010/05/reader-request-how-to-look-older-in.html

You also can't go wrong with summer dresses as long as the shape isn't too young (ie empire waists or too poofy). I would always add a waist belt to define the middle area and enhance the illusion of any curves.

I went to J Crew to check out the Edie and while it looks cute, I didn't like the way the material felt. $139 + tax is still a lot to spend, especially for an item made in China. This is the primary reason I don't shop there much.

Hi Lisa - it's definitely not so bouncy shiny in real life! I think the glare from the natural light makes it look better than reality in these photos. I, too have frizzy hair but am not into using products...I have have been washing my hair at night then sleeping on it to "smooth" it out overnight.

Love your pants! I got a red Coach court bag in practically brand new condition at a Second Time Around store a few years ago for $45. It's great for adding a pop of color to a dark outfit, especially in the winter!

LOVE this outfit, Jean! The neutral pieces were perfect for toning the pants down. I came across these pants today (also saw the dress version of this print) and didn't like the high waist on the mannequin. I didn't try it on since I didn't know if I'd be wearing it more than a few times, but I also didn't like the high waist. I never thought to roll it down... great idea!

I love this outfit Jean! You look beautiful. That Edie bag is a great size and I love the colour. I've been after a red bag for a while now, but I've been picky because I think it needs to be a classic style to make a statement. The Edie is perfect! Also, those H&M pants look amazing on you. I tried them on after seeing them on your instagram and they just didn't look right on me. I can't wait to see how else you style them!

Awesome looks Jean! This is one of my favorite. Love the edgy printed pants and the sweet elegance of your blouse and pearl necklace combined. You always look flawlessly classy and sweet. Oh I can't forget to mention how much I also love the contrast of that wall art against your outfit! xo

This outfit looks great and I love the red accessory with the black and white! I also appreciate your tips on dealing with pants meant for someone taller - especially the skinnies and the crops.

I was at the H&M on Newbury yesterday and saw so many beautiful things that screamed "Jean" - for example, an emerald green v-neck sheath with a pretty back-of-the-neck detail, a yellow lace peplum dress (that also came in an A-line style that I scooped up), a navy ponte slim midi skirt with black floral detail 9and a black back), plus a pretty mint crochet sweater with another interesting neck detail. Check it out!

Gorgeous! When you first posted a picture of this bag, I thought it might be the one from F21 I had been eyeing just a week or so before. Of course it's not though! Those pants and sandals are fantastic!

Question about the Edie bag. I was looking at the Little Edie bag, and couldn't decide if the bigger one was a little too big for non-work purposes, and the little one a little too small. I haven't seen either one in person. Any thoughts?

Hi, I love your blog--always so classy and chic! Also, I came across this article about "cheap" fashion and I was wondering what your thoughts on it were. http://business.time.com/2012/07/26/need-for-speed/

Love how the red and dots pop! Reminds me of Cruella de Vil and the dalmatians. Also, I wanted to share how excited I was to have spotted you on banner of the Style Snaps page of Stella & Dot! (http://www.stelladot.com/content/instagram)

Great idea with a pop of colour in the accessories. I struggle with the crease-proneness of H&M pants but I love the way these sit on you. Also love how you style your hair too - do you have any tips ? Would love a video if you get a chance!

Jean, this outfit looks so polished, even with spotted pants! For some reason H&M pants never look good on me, though. They always fit funny in the hips area. You're lucky they fit you well because they're so cheap!

Love those pants! I bought the spotted dress and did some major streamlining and it looks really cute. They didn't have the pants at my store at the time, but I definitely need to go check back in now. Hope I'm not too late!

A new H&M store opened recently near me, and I finally made it there yesterday. Looking around the store I found one pair left of those "Cruella de Ville" pants and lo and behold, they were a size 4 (perfect for me, since H&M is just about the only place that hasn't vanity sized me down to a 0). I tried them on and was delighted that they fit perfectly. And for the price ($12.95!) how could I pass them up? I only wish I had had those pants a few years ago when I dressed as Cruella de Ville for Halloween (taking my little boys dressed as dalmatian puppies trick-or-treating).